People: It's still a wonderful life nearly 60 years later

The Associated Press

Published Saturday, December 04, 2004

LANCASTER, N.Y. (AP) -- Who hasn't spent part of a holiday season watching "It's a Wonderful Life"?

Even the most devoted fans of Frank Capra's 1946 classic film might find something new in its black-and-white images after listening to Karolyn Grimes. She played Zuzu Bailey, the little girl with the memorable movie-ending line: "Look, Daddy: Teacher says that every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings."

Grimes, 64, said she's seen the movie, starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, so many times she's beyond paying attention to the story and acting and instead focuses on the subtleties others may overlook.

"Like for instance, there's a point where Mary and George are asked to go to Florida with Sam Wainwright and his wife. Very subtly, (Mary) rubs her tummy -- and that night she tells him she's on the nest," Grimes said.

Grimes has a whole presentation about such moments, which she attributes to "the magic of Frank Capra."

"So many people love this film," she said during a stop in this Buffalo suburb, where she introduced the Lancaster Opera House's stage production of the story. "It's such a part of the Christmas celebration nowadays that it's become part of our culture."

Monty Python musical

AUSTIN, Minn. -- A play called "Monty Python's Spamalot" is headed for Broadway, and Hormel Foods Corp. is laughing.

Based on the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," the musical begins previews Feb. 14 at New York's Shubert Theatre. It will run in Chicago from Dec. 21 to Jan. 23.

Hormel plans to issue Spam golden honey grail in a collector's edition can. The product will be available in limited quantities at select New York City retailers in February. For those who can't wait, cans will be given to the first 100 customers who purchase tickets when the Shubert box office opens Dec. 6.

"Spam is the holy grail of canned meats," Eric Idle, a Monty Python veteran and lyricist and book writer for the new musical, said in a recent statement.

"Spamalot," directed by Mike Nichols, stars David Hyde Pierce, Tim Curry and Hank Azaria. Idle has said the musical will be "as good as or quite likely better than any other show with killer rabbits and a legless knight opening on Broadway or in Chicago this season."